Trees Lexington!

Trees Lexington plants trees and inspires people to grow a more vibrant community.

Since 2017, our vision of a flourishing tree canopy for all of Lexington has allowed us incredible opportunities to partner with numerous organizations and work for tree equity in historically redlined areas in our community. 

Trees are vital to our everyday health and well being. Of the many ecological benefits they provide there is perhaps an even greater impact on humans emotionally, socially, and even soulfully. No matter where we plant trees, whether in residential neighborhoods or city parks, at businesses, schools, or places of worship, we share moments of joy with each other, with nature, and with the trees themselves. We are growing a beautiful community by doing something that is highly beneficial in the moment, and also for the long term. We are planting with purpose, and with hope.

At a time when so many are facing incredible challenges with food and housing insecurity, planting trees may not seem like a top priority, but we believe it is more important than ever. Without fail, when we ask children at our plantings and tree walks why they like trees and why trees are important, the first answer is almost always, "they give us air", "without them, we couldn't breathe", "they make oxygen". They beam as they learn how more trees mean more birds and butterflies, and they take great pride in doing their part to help plant their tree - digging, planting, watering, mulching, and posing for a photo. They ask how tall the tree will become, gasping and exclaiming whether the answer is 25 feet or 80 feet. We share these moments with them and know that in 20 years, they can come back and know they planted this tree at just the right time. 

We strive to make trees accessible, especially to those who need them most. As infrastructure, trees provide essential functions to human health and happiness through cleaner and cooler air, reduced flooding, shade over parking lots and sidewalks, and supporting all sorts of wildlife, especially the insects critical to our food web. As friends, they bring us joy, beauty, a sense of place, and improved overall well being.

Extending our Reach in 2025:

Recorded a survival rate of trees we have planted at more than 90%

600 trees distributed at our Tree Giveaways and community events

700+ trees planted at Lexington schools, parks, and neighborhoods by year’s end

700+ trees in watered in our summer 2025 watering rotation, monitored and cared for by our 20+ person volunteer Watering Crew

600+ students participated in tree planting at 21 different Fayette County Public Schools campuses 

15+ tree walks at schools, impacting nearly 200 students and sharing knowledge and excitement about the beloved trees on their campus

Celebrated one year in our office and decked out our new trailer with all of the tools and supplies needed for our tree planting events

Our Goals for 2026: 

We're going to keep doing what we do best, which is to: plant and maintain hundreds of trees through our numerous programs; educate our volunteers at community tree plantings and tree care workshops; share at least 600 more trees with Lexington residents at our spring and fall giveaways; keep engaging volunteers with our Tree Stewards Training Program to build a skilled and knowledgeable volunteer base; remain dedicated to growing and preserving Lexington's urban forest; organize volunteer teams who help us keep the trees we've planted thriving. 

To achieve these goals, we need your help. Your support empowers Trees Lexington to give, plant, and grow more trees while educating and cultivating a spirit of stewardship and community. Please consider supporting our work and the many ways it benefits Lexington's urban forest, and each of us, with a donation during Bluegrass Gives Day! 

Learn more about our work at www.treeslexington.org. 

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